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Professor Jennifer Hornsby elected to British Academy

Fellows of the British Academy represent the very best of humanities and social sciences research, in the UK and internationally. Hornsby has been a Professor at Birkbeck since 1995, and her research is primarily concerned with the philosophies of mind, action, language and feminist philosophy.

Hornsby has been a Professor at Birkbeck since 1995, and also holds membership of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters and an Emeritus Fellowship at Corpus Christi College, Oxford, where she was a Tutorial Fellow for 17 years. Her research is primarily concerned with the philosophies of mind, action, language and feminist philosophy.

The proportion of women elected to the Fellowship has doubled in the last five years. This year, 38% of the new Fellows are women, exceeding the 24% share of female Professors in UK universities, according to HESA data.

Hornsby said: “I’m honoured to be elected to the British Academy. 45 years ago, when I first knew of the Academy, it seemed as if Fellows were fellows – men, that is to say. Well, nearly all of them were then. It’s very good to see how many women have been elected in recent years. I’m proud to join other philosophers in the Academy and other Birkbeck FBAs.”

FBAs represent the very best of humanities and social sciences research, in the UK and globally. This year, 66 new Fellows were elected, amongst them experts in subjects ranging from feminist theory to the economic development of Africa; medieval history to Indian philosophy and face perception.

Lord Stern, outgoing President of the British Academy, said: “Now more than ever, we need research, scholarship and evidence from the humanities and social sciences to inform our understanding and decision-making on the most pressing challenges of our time, from identity and democracy, to sustainable development and overcoming poverty, and managing climate change.

“The UK’s research and innovation sector is one of our nation’s greatest assets, and its diversity and openness is a strength that makes us a world-leader in research. This year’s cohort of leading Fellows is a strong illustration. Our Academy is doing increasingly well at bringing the humanities and social sciences where they should be, at the centre of public life and discussion.”